Can a Hoosier farmer produce another Massachusetts miracle for Republicans?

The Washington Examiner ^ | February 20, 2010 | Ken Tomlinson

[Clintonfatigued]

A notable buzz surrounded youthful Indiana State Sen. Marlin Stutzman as he was escorted around this week’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) by activist Donna Weisner. “Back in Indiana, they say he’s our Scott Brown,” she said proudly.

Stutzman supporters elatedly boasted news of a Rasmussen poll that gives Stutzman a ten-point lead over the likely Democrat nominee for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Evan Bayh.

All this is a stunning development for the young farmer and businessman who only four years ago was the youngest member of the Indiana legislature. In Washington power circles former Sen. Dan Coats has been all but anointed the GOP nominee for the Bayh seat.

In Indiana there has been a real pushback to the Washington-blessed Coats candidacy, and as ten thousand conservatives gathered for CPAC they were greeted by a huge Stutzman endorsement by increasingly influential RedState blogger Erick Erickson.

Declared Erickson: “The GOP needs to change its public image that voters have. It should not be using retired senators who moved out of state and become a lobbyist to do that.

“We need younger faces and fresher voices. We need guys like Marco Rubio. We need guys like Marlin Stutzman.”

[campaignPete R-CT]

when Bush ran in 2000, the REP GOV conference informally agreed on ONE candidate and got behind him. The rest is history.

If they do the same this time, Daniels might be out. I keep askin’, if Palin doesn’t make a big push in NHampshire ... and it turns into a Pawlenty v. Romney battle, how motivated will I be, or should I be, to work the rural grassroots for T-Paw?

For Palin, the obvious concern, of course, is that NH conservatives are “unchurched” types and also tend to have a aversion to candidates that aren’t “Easterners”. There is a subtle bigotry there that is not so subtle.

At the same time, the populist instinct is very strong, hence Pat Buchanan beating Dole in ‘96. The McCain victories in ‘00 and ‘08 are often painted as “moderate Republicans and independents” flexing their muscle, but he pulled support from many of the same folks who were Buchanan ‘92 & ‘96. (McCain’s military patriotism vs. GWB & Mitt.) So Palin could work a strategy there around that idea.

[yongin]

{when Bush ran in 2000, the REP GOV conference informally agreed on ONE candidate and got behind him. The rest is history.}

Didn’t know that. Interesting. T-Paw is Vice Chair of the Republican Governors Association. Haley Barbour is the Chair.

[Impy]

He’s definitely a possibility.

[yongin]

Today, My Man Mitch is backtracking a bit. He said there are 100 reasons for him not to consider running for President. He also criticized the tone of CPAC. He said Republicans need to provide solutions for America than say No to Obama.

[Impy]

I bet he can’t name more than 15.

[chimera]

He also criticized the tone of CPAC. He said Republicans need to provide solutions for America than say No to Obama.

They need to do both. There is nothing wrong with saying "No" when someone is wrong and/or their ideas are bad for the country. We have a chance to beat these 'Rats to a blood pulp if we stick together, but it looks like we won't. The circular firing squads are already forming.